Yesterday was a perfect weather day, so I took off at 4am and headed north to Milwaukee, then to Green Bay, then to Manistique and then to Sault Ste Marie. 485 miles so far. I headed south on I-75, (the Mac Bridge and Lake Michigan were gorgeous)then route 127, then I-69. With 70mph speed limits and few towns and only a little construction I went REALLY fast. Turned west on I-94 and hit the Skyway into Chicago just before midnight. 1003 miles in just over 20 hours, incliding 3 hours of non-driving time for eating, napping and filling up the tank. Less than $80 in gas,btw.

When I did my bun burner 1000 / saddle sore 1500 or whatever, I headed west and did all interstates in IA, MN, Dakotas, MN, WI, and back home. It was cool to get it checked off the list and done, but your route is way cooler.

I am thinking about a similiar trip - but over a few days. Manistique over to the bridge. From there, though I will probably follow the lake and rt 31 down. How was it at the north end of the lake?

Congratulations!!!! and since you have it fresh in your mind - any penalty to do it counterclockwise?

I would not think so. I have heard that you should consider the position of the sun when doing an all day ride, which is good advice, but this particular trip is mostly north/south, so the sun was never a problem.
Remember that the most direct route around the lake is slightly less than 1000 miles, so you have to balloon it out somewhere. Mapquest is invaluable.

I would not think so. I have heard that you should consider the position of the sun when doing an all day ride, which is good advice, but this particular trip is mostly north/south, so the sun was never a problem.
Remember that the most direct route around the lake is slightly less than 1000 miles, so you have to balloon it out somewhere. Mapquest is invaluable.

Thanks, yes, you are right, I was thinking to leave early south thought Chicago, with less traffic, balloon it out in Michigan, and that straight around to Northfield.
At least once a year I ride to SLC, UT and my personal IB is from Chicago to Cheyenne, WY In my experience it is much easier to ride E-W, and than toward the end of the day when sun is low, straight in your face, to do an hour brake. Also as you go west from Chicago you gain an hour, and speed limit goes up. Going W-E I have a pair of a very dark sunglasses that allow me to see through the bright sun.
For IB ride I thought it has to be a separate ride, without a specific purpose, or maybe that was an excuse for me not to do it in the past.

__________________Life is like a penis when is soft you can't beat it, when it's hard you get screwed - Fat Men "The House of God"

Yesterday was a perfect weather day, so I took off at 4am and headed north to Milwaukee, then to Green Bay, then to Manistique and then to Sault Ste Marie. 485 miles so far. I headed south on I-75, (the Mac Bridge and Lake Michigan were gorgeous)then route 127, then I-69. With 70mph speed limits and few towns and only a little construction I went REALLY fast. Turned west on I-94 and hit the Skyway into Chicago just before midnight. 1003 miles in just over 20 hours, incliding 3 hours of non-driving time for eating, napping and filling up the tank. Less than $80 in gas,btw.

congrats
what were you riding that cost so little in fuel?
i suppose it would cost > $120.00 if i did the same on my GT

__________________Greg'11 R1200 GS Adventure with a DMC M72DX Sidecar'14 R1200 GS & '14 R nineT (march, 2014)Live life like you mean it... but take your family and friends (and DOGS) along for the "ride"